Crowe Dunlevy Secures Defense Verdict in Federal ADA Jury Trial

Crowe Dunlevy successfully obtained a unanimous defense verdict for Braum’s Ice Cream and Dairy Stores in a federal disability discrimination lawsuit brought under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas. The former employee alleged that Braum’s failed to reasonably accommodate her severe latex allergy and unlawfully terminated her employment. The Firm demonstrated that Braum’s had implemented numerous accommodations and safety measures but that additional requested accommodations would have imposed an undue hardship on the business, particularly during the supply chain disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic. The defense also established that continued employment presented a direct threat to the employee’s health and safety under applicable ADA standards. After a three-day jury trial, the jury returned a unanimous verdict in favor of Braum’s, rejecting the employee’s claims and confirming the company’s compliance with its obligations under federal disability law.